When it comes to shipping a vehicle, there are several factors that determine the cost of transport. One aspect that many often overlook is the size of the vehicle. The size of the car you want to ship – whether a small vehicle, a large SUV, or a pickup truck – can greatly impact the shipping quote. Vehicle Size Affect Shipping
In this blog, we’ll explain how your vehicle size impacts shipping quotes, why it’s important for pricing, and how to make sure you’re not getting ripped off when you transport your vehicle. Grasping this important factor of auto shipping can assist you in making prior arrangements that can help you save money.
What makes size impact your shipping cost?
The first thing auto transport companies will look at is the size of your vehicle and how that will impact shipping. The reason why the vehicle’s dimensions (length, width, height) matter is because it determines the footprint it has on the transport truck, how much weight it adds to the load, and how much work is required to ‘tie-down’ and transport it. The importance of vehicle size.
Area on the Cargo Truck
Normally carriers charge according to the amount of space your vehicle takes up on the truck. Bigger vehicles, like SUVs, trucks, and vans, make space for themselves by taking up more space on the carrier than standard sedans. The transport under a tariff determines how many vehicles can be fitted into a particular truck, which ultimately helps determine the price.
Larger vehicles, such as pickup trucks, SUVs, or luxury vehicles, require more space, which can result in higher costs.
Smaller vehicles: Compact cars, sedans, hatchbacks take up less space hence cheaper to transport than larger vehicles.
Weight of Vehicle
The mass of your vehicle also contributes significantly to the shipping costs, along with its size. Larger vehicles like trucks and big SUVs need more fuel, which may require stronger and sturdier transport equipment to handle it safely throughout the trip.
The heavier the vehicle, the more expensive it will cost to move; this increase in weight also increases the weight of the load carried. Exhausting the right terrain consists of superior wheel drive, making optimum usage of every ultimate wheel drive to carry heavy loads.
Light vehicles: The introduction of compact cars in the transport truck helps in reducing the weight of the vehicle itself which helps in savings on fuel cost and lesser resources consumed for transport.
The majority of auto transport companies will calculate the price of the shipping run based on the total weight of the load. As such, you can assume that heavier machines will usually cost more to ship.
Dealing with complicated handling and loading
The vehicle size also plays a role in how simple or complicated it is to load and secure the vehicle for transport. Bigger and heavier vehicles may require flatbed carriers or ramps with high weight-bearing capacity for safe loading.
Standard vehicles refer to smaller, compact cars that can be easily loaded and unloaded without complicating the process. It costs less as it costs little and requires minimal equipment.
Oversized vehicles require additional time, equipment, and effort for larger cars, trucks, or custom vehicles with unique dimensions. In some instances, this may be custom cradles or other tools for safe loading; such increases will cause higher costs.
Influence of Vehicle Size on Different Shipping Types
The auto transport type selected may also have an effect on the vehicle size quote. Here are a few shipping options and the roles vehicle size plays.
Open Carrier Shipment
Most people prefer open carrier shipping as it is economical and easy. The method uses an open trailer with a capability of loading many vehicles at one time on that trailer. The size of the vehicle may still affect the costs of this cheaper option.
In the case your car is larger, such as a SUV or truck. It may take more space on the open carrier which can increase the price of the shipment.
Smaller vehicles: Multiple vehicles can often fit on the same carrier if the car in question is a small sedan or hatchback, which might lower the cost per vehicle.
Hint- Covered Delivery
The enclosed carriers provide an extra layer of security for a high-value vehicle. Since enclosed carriers carry less vehicles and provides much more protection from environment, therefore it is more expensive than open carriers. The size of the vehicle greatly affects the amount you will pay for this.
When shipping larger vehicles with enclosed carriers, you may need to spend more time or use special planning. As a standard practice, this leads to a more expensive shipping price.
Because smaller cars can more easily fit into an enclosed transport trailer. There’s a beneficial possibility of the cost being somewhat lesser. Despite this, the overall cost will still likely be higher.
Flatbed Haulage
The best way to move an oversized vehicle or specialty vehicle that would not fit into open or enclosed transporters is by flatbed transport. With the flatbed truck method, vehicles of every size and shape can be carried.
This is an excellent option for large trucks, custom cars, or off-road vehicles that won’t fit on standard carriers. Logistically more complex, flatbed shipping is often the most expensive option but a choice you make when you want to ensure safe vehicle transport.
If you would like to ship a smaller vehicle with atypical handling requirements, flatbed transport is still a viable choice. Typically, flatbed shipping is used for larger, specialized vehicles that won’t fit on conventional carriers.
Advice for Saving on Car Shipping In Spite of Size
The vehicle size does impact shipping quotes, but no matter how big you are. You can save money shipping your car by using any one of numerous methods.
Reserve Ahead
If you book your vehicle transport service early, you will have a better chance of getting a cheaper price. You will get better rates from auto transport companies if you book further in advance, especially for larger vehicles.
Select an Open Carrier Transport
As previously stated, open carrier shipping is the cheapest option. If you’re transporting a standard vehicle. Opting for an open carrier is among the best options to save on shipping cost.
Think about terminal shipping
If you’re flexible with where to pick up and drop off the shipment, terminal-to-terminal shipping can save you money. This option involves picking up your vehicle at a specified terminal and dropping it off at another terminal rather than requesting door-to-door service which may sometimes get expensive.
Eliminate Unneeded Things
It is essential that you take your personal belongings from your vehicle before shipping it. Not only will this help to decrease your vehicle’s weight and take up less space. But it can also prevent extra fees for items in your car.
The size of your vehicle affects shipping quote estimates
In order to get the best deal possible on a shipping quote for your vehicle. It is important to understand how size of vehicle affects shipping quotes. Typically, larger vehicles cost more to ship due to the space they take up, their weight, and possibly even the special handling they require. You can save money on car shipping through the transport type, advance booking and spending less on open carrier transport.
At 1st Car Shipping, we provide auto transport services at a reasonable price while considering the size and necessity of your vehicle. Give us a call now for a free quote and let us help you ship your car affordably and hassle-free, no matter the size!
